Jacoby Brissett expresses relief after signing reworked deal with Cardinals
Jacoby Brissett, quarterback for the Arizona Cardinals, has reached a reworked agreement that will increase his compensation for the 2026 season. The deal, which raises his pay to $15.5 million with a maximum value of $21 million, was reported by NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport. ESPN also reported that the $15.5 million is guaranteed. Brissett expressed relief after the agreement, stating, “I’m glad it’s over with.”
The negotiations for the new contract were a source of stress for Brissett, who handled the discussions himself. He indicated that the pressure was so significant it limited his sleep to about three hours per night. “It’s your livelihood; it’s business; and it’s part of this game,” Brissett said. He also noted that the desire to be on the field with his teammates added another layer of stress during the process. “It definitely got dark a couple of times,” he added, emphasizing that seeking a raise was about “having respect for yourself.”
Contract Resolution and Team Reaction
The resolution of Brissett’s contract situation marks the end of a prolonged period of uncertainty. He had skipped the voluntary portion of the offseason program, reporting instead for mandatory minicamp and training camp. Prior to the reworked deal, Brissett was scheduled to earn a maximum of $5.39 million in 2026, with only $1.5 million guaranteed. His base salary was set at $4.88 million, and he had been seeking compensation more aligned with other starting quarterbacks in the league.
The agreement was met with enthusiasm by some of his teammates. Trey McBride, the Cardinals‘ tight end, reacted to the news on X, formerly Twitter, with “LFG” and a zany face emoji, indicating his excitement. Left tackle Paris Johnson Jr also shared his positive reaction on X, posting “Lets’ goooooo” accompanied by two moneybag emojis. Both players expressed happiness about the continuity at the quarterback position.
New head coach Mike LaFleur also welcomed the conclusion of the contract negotiations. “It’s good. Happy for him. Happy for our team. It was productive,” LaFleur stated. He added that getting the deal done “sooner than rather than later, it’s good.” LaFleur is focused on building the foundation of the Cardinals‘ offense in his head coaching debut, and having a stable option at quarterback is expected to facilitate this process.
Competition for Starting Role
Despite the new agreement, Brissett’s starting position is not yet guaranteed for Week 1. Coach LaFleur has indicated that Brissett will begin working with the starters on Tuesday, but he will need to compete against Gardner Minshew and Carson Beck for the role. LaFleur has previously stated that both Brissett and Minshew are considered good fits for his offensive scheme. The team also drafted Beck, adding another layer to the quarterback competition.
Brissett is coming off a 2025 season where he achieved career highs, throwing for 3,366 yards and 23 touchdowns in 14 games, with 12 starts. He had stepped in for an injured Kyler Murray during that season. While he is now positioned to potentially succeed Murray as the Week 1 starter, the reworked deal is not an extension, meaning Brissett remains on schedule to become a free agent after the 2026 season. This leaves the Cardinals‘ long-term quarterback situation still uncertain.
Brissett, who is 33, is playing for his sixth NFL team and has made starts for five different squads. LaFleur will be his ninth full-time head coach as he enters his eleventh season in the league. The resolution of his contract allows Brissett to shift his focus from negotiations to preparing for the upcoming season and competing for the starting job, a process he anticipates will also require significant effort. “After the sleep I get tonight,” Brissett said, “I’ll go back to three hours of sleep for work purposes now.”
Source: nbcsports.com
